HNK Hajduk Split has firmly opposed Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's proposal to renovate the Poljud stadium, reiterating its demand for a completely new football facility. The club emphasized that a reconstruction within the existing 1979 framework would leave the club stuck in the past and fail to meet modern football demands.
The Prime Minister stated at a solemn session of the Split-Dalmatia County Assembly that the Poljud reconstruction project could be smartly modernized. He said that, according to previous indicators and the commission's work, such a project could become a proper, modern stadium as expected by fans.
Hajduk responded immediately with an official statement. It says that only a new, modern football stadium is acceptable for the club and its fans. The club stressed that the architectural and historical value of Poljud cannot be the sole criterion for the decision, and that the needs of the users must be central. Otherwise, they argue, the club would be doomed to uncertain and long-term unsustainable infrastructure prospects, which they refuse to accept.
This debate unfolds as Hajduk is in strong form on the pitch. The team sits second in the HNL table with 16 points from 8 games, having won four of their last five matches.
The City of Split commissioned a feasibility study earlier this year analyzing four scenarios. One envisaged the sanitation and upgrade of the existing Poljud. Another, singled out by the study's authors as the functionally best solution, involves demolishing the old stadium and building a completely new one on the same site. Prior to the study, Hajduk conducted a survey among season ticket holders, with a large majority of respondents believing the club needs a new stadium.
Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta said the city's final position will be known after the expert commission's opinion. Hajduk, however, believes there is no need to further delay the decision. The club reiterated that its duty is to consistently represent what the club's future depends on, which is a new football stadium built from the ground up. This season's squad status and statistical data are available on the stats page.
First reported at Index.hr Sport
